It Just Stinks

Oh!  The crazy battle against the stink bugs.  It is the perfect time of year to have the windows open, but I just hate the battle with these stink bugs which have an uncanny way of finding all the openings in my screens.  They seem unusually plentiful this September.  Fall is on the way and hopefully will remove these nuisances from the area.  I am reminded every time I pass a trash can of just how many I have had to kill in the past few days (There is a reason that they are called stink bugs).

It is hard to believe that October is just around the corner.  I am working on an Autumn bulletin board for church today and hoping that the laminator works quickly.  It also seems like a good day to mow before some predicted rain this weekend.

Harmony

There is nothing like tight harmony. 

I love the sound of a good quartet or trio ...

I love the harmony of great, old hymns ...

I love the workings of an intricate sonata or concerto. 

I am thankful that God's Word works in harmony with itself.  Of course, that only makes sense, but sometimes it is just so clear.  Sunday morning, I taught about the 10 plagues in Sunday School and how God showed His power - teaching His children that they could trust Him.  The morning message from Mark 11 was simply "... have faith in God."  Hubby spoke Sunday night from Habakuk and Romans 1, "the just shall live by faith."  And then last night a message from Psalm 77 reminding us to rest in the character of God when things just don't make sense.  I also was in Habakkuk for my own Bible reading on Wednesday which reinforced all of the lessons.  Hmmm?  Perhaps I am supposed to be practicing more faith in my life? 

Industry

Proverbs 31:18

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:

her candle goeth not out by night.

The virtuous woman is industrious.

Whatever she puts her hand to is good.

She knows she has done her best,

used the best materials,

created something worthy to be sold.

She has worked hard.

She works into the night if she needs to.

She is prepared at night to meet the needs of her family.

What are you putting your hand to today?

Will you give it your all?

Are you just "limping" through the day?

Practice industriousness!

Back to Routine?

I think I mentioned that I had guests over the weekend.  Spent yesterday cleaning.  Today, finished listing more toys on ebay.  Hope to be back with some Proverbs 31 tomorrow!  Don't think I will be back to actual routine until after the county fair (September 27-October 7). 

Clearing Out

Well, I mentioned last week that I was fall cleaning.  I still need to shampoo the rugs, but other than that, the work is done.  I also mentioned that we were priveleged to be involved in packing a moving truck last week which always inspires us to pare down on our belongings.  So, this week has been filled with PLAY!  We spent much of the week building and photographing "vintage" legos for sale on EBAY.  We were saving so many toys for the "what if," but, no longer.  They must leave.  We are hoping to sell enough to make our first large order to Amazon for gluten free grains :)

I am also looking to sell a wedding dress.  Do any of my readers have a good source?  Any ideas?  I have our local Bible college to try and a consignment shop in town, but perhaps you know of another idea. 

Not In My Hands

Proverbs 21:1 

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,

as the rivers of water:

he turneth it whithersoever he will.

On this Thankful Thursday I am thankful that God can direct the heart of anyone to do His will and to meet the needs of His children. 

On Tuesday, hubby had to stay home sick.  Usually he would have just worked through the cold, but with company coming this weekend and 11 days of tract distribution at the fair starting next week, we thought it best to try to just stop the respiratory problems early.  It is a tough decision though when you are paid hourly and have no sick days :)  Hubby returned to work on Wednesday and the boss told him that he planned to pay Chris for a full day on Tuesday.  Praise the Lord. 

Are you practicing thankfulness today?

Balancing Strength

Proverbs 31:17

She girdeth her loins with strength,

and strengtheneth her arms.

This noble woman reminds me again to just do right.

I imagine that her regular activity was so intense that her arms and legs

were strengthened daily without walks, crunches, lunges, and bicep curls.

I, on the other hand, have so many modern conveniences and must make an

effort to stay strong through regular exercise.

Why exercise?  Why be strong?

When I am healthy, I am more useful to my family and the body of Christ.

When I am healthy, my medical bills are lower.

When I am strong, there is less work that I have to pass to hubby

after he has worked a long day in the shop.

When I am strong, I am a better helpmeet to hubby and his projects.

As an added thought:

The strong, virtuous woman must take care to continue to be a lady.

This lady is not seeking to "best" the men around her or to be involved in "hard" labor

 when there are plenty of men around.

This lady is not trying to prove herself or to belittle men.

She is merely prepared to work wherever she finds herself.

Troublesome Tongue

Proverbs 17:27-28

 He that hath knowledge spareth his words:

and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace,

is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips

is esteemed a man of understanding.

... or as my 4th grade teacher would say,

"it is better to shut your mouth and let people think you are dumb,

than to open it and remove all doubt."

Fall Garden

We heard yesterday that hubby's brother in Alaska had already seen snow! 

I, on the other hand, am enjoying the bright green of my first fall garden. 

I am hoping for vegetables, but if the frost comes first ...

... the healthy plants sure have cheered me this September!

The taller of the climbing plants are green beans, the other peas.

It is a grey, rainy day today - good for the garden.

And it is cleaning day ...

so TTFN (Ta, Ta For Now)

Autumn in the Air

Did I mention that this week has been absolutely BEAUTIFUL?!?!

I love the feeling of fall in the air. 

The fall cleaning has been much more pleasant and satisfying with the windows

wide open and the smell of fresh air throughout the house.

This afternoon - the house smells of fresh bread -

so nice to bake in the middle of the day -

and looking forward to a slice of bread with my baked potato soup.

Tomorrow will be busy.

We are headed about 1 hour north to help a church pass out tracts

at their town's APPLE FESTIVAL!

Also looking forward to taking in the arts, crafts, and of course some apples!